The impacts of overexploitation on biodiversity loss
The impacts of hunting and bycatch on shorebird populations in China
Globally, migratory shorebirds are experiencing massive population declines, often caused by human-induced changes to their habitats and stopover points. Bird populations that migrate along the East Asia-Australasia Flyway (EAAF) are experiencing the steepest declines, and, consequently, a high proportion of these shorebird species are listed as threatened or near threated by the IUCN Red List. The well-documented threats include habitat loss and habitat degradation, especially of the intertidal mudflats along the Yellow Sea. However, a significant source of bird mortality may be due to intentional hunting as well as unintentional capture of birds in tidal fishing nets – factors largely ignored to date.
Our field-based study investigates the combined effects of hunting and bycatch on shorebird populations across the entirety of China’s coast. By determining the density of mist nets, decoys, and tidal fishing nets and by monitoring the mortality rates of shorebirds in randomly selected stopover sites, we are able to estimate the magnitude of hunting and bycatch. Then, by developing population models, we can then quantify the effects of hunting and bycatch on shorebird populations. Our research will provide information critical to protecting declining populations of migratory shorebirds.
Globally, migratory shorebirds are experiencing massive population declines, often caused by human-induced changes to their habitats and stopover points. Bird populations that migrate along the East Asia-Australasia Flyway (EAAF) are experiencing the steepest declines, and, consequently, a high proportion of these shorebird species are listed as threatened or near threated by the IUCN Red List. The well-documented threats include habitat loss and habitat degradation, especially of the intertidal mudflats along the Yellow Sea. However, a significant source of bird mortality may be due to intentional hunting as well as unintentional capture of birds in tidal fishing nets – factors largely ignored to date.
Our field-based study investigates the combined effects of hunting and bycatch on shorebird populations across the entirety of China’s coast. By determining the density of mist nets, decoys, and tidal fishing nets and by monitoring the mortality rates of shorebirds in randomly selected stopover sites, we are able to estimate the magnitude of hunting and bycatch. Then, by developing population models, we can then quantify the effects of hunting and bycatch on shorebird populations. Our research will provide information critical to protecting declining populations of migratory shorebirds.
Relevant publications
1. Liang, D.(#), Giam, X. Hu, S., Ma, L., Wilcove, D. Assessing the illegal hunting of native wildlife within China. Nature. 623, 100–105. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06625-0
2. Liang, D. (#), Mu, T., Yang, Z., Giam, X., Wang, Y., Li, J., Cai, S., Zhang, X., Wang, Y., Liu, Y., Wilcove, D. 2023. Assessing shorebird mortalities due to razor-clam aquaculture at key migratory stopover sites in Southeastern China. Conservation Biology, https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14185
1. Liang, D.(#), Giam, X. Hu, S., Ma, L., Wilcove, D. Assessing the illegal hunting of native wildlife within China. Nature. 623, 100–105. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06625-0
2. Liang, D. (#), Mu, T., Yang, Z., Giam, X., Wang, Y., Li, J., Cai, S., Zhang, X., Wang, Y., Liu, Y., Wilcove, D. 2023. Assessing shorebird mortalities due to razor-clam aquaculture at key migratory stopover sites in Southeastern China. Conservation Biology, https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.14185
The effects of urbanization on biological communities
1. Niche expansion of passerines in urban communities.
2. Niche expansion of urban birds is a production of increasing individual niche and between individual niche.
3. Breath rates showed consistent along urbanization gradients but are different between diet groups.
2. Niche expansion of urban birds is a production of increasing individual niche and between individual niche.
3. Breath rates showed consistent along urbanization gradients but are different between diet groups.
Relevant publications
1. Pagani-Núñez, E.(*)(#), Liang, D. (*), He, C., Liu, Y., Luo, X., Goodale, E. Dynamic trait-niche relationships shape niche partitioning across habitat transformation gradients. Basic and Applied Ecology
2. Liang, D.(*), Yang, S.(*), Pagani-Núñez, E.(*)(#), He, C., Liu, Y., Goodale, E., Liao, W.(#), Hu J.(#) How to Become a Generalist Species? Individual Niche Variation Across Habitat Transformation Gradients. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 8:597450. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2020.597450.
3. Pagani‐Núñez, E., Liang, D., He, C., Zhou, X., Luo, X., Liu, Y., Goodale, E., 2019. Niches in the Anthropocene: passerine assemblages show niche expansion from natural to urban habitats. Ecography, 42, 1360–1369.
4. Liang, D., He, C., Luo, X., Liu, Y., Goodale, E. and Pagani‐Núñez, E.(#), 2018. Breath rate of passerines across an urbanization gradient supports the pace‐of‐life hypothesis and suggests diet‐mediated responses to handling stress. Ecology and Evolution, 8(18), pp.9526-9535.
1. Pagani-Núñez, E.(*)(#), Liang, D. (*), He, C., Liu, Y., Luo, X., Goodale, E. Dynamic trait-niche relationships shape niche partitioning across habitat transformation gradients. Basic and Applied Ecology
2. Liang, D.(*), Yang, S.(*), Pagani-Núñez, E.(*)(#), He, C., Liu, Y., Goodale, E., Liao, W.(#), Hu J.(#) How to Become a Generalist Species? Individual Niche Variation Across Habitat Transformation Gradients. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 8:597450. doi: 10.3389/fevo.2020.597450.
3. Pagani‐Núñez, E., Liang, D., He, C., Zhou, X., Luo, X., Liu, Y., Goodale, E., 2019. Niches in the Anthropocene: passerine assemblages show niche expansion from natural to urban habitats. Ecography, 42, 1360–1369.
4. Liang, D., He, C., Luo, X., Liu, Y., Goodale, E. and Pagani‐Núñez, E.(#), 2018. Breath rate of passerines across an urbanization gradient supports the pace‐of‐life hypothesis and suggests diet‐mediated responses to handling stress. Ecology and Evolution, 8(18), pp.9526-9535.
Elevational distribution and life history of montane birds
1. Elevational distribution of bird communities along elevational gradients
2. Seasonal community shifts of bird communities and conserving lowland forests
3. Life history of alpine bird species, such as Fire-tailed Myzornis and Fire-tailed Sunbird
2. Seasonal community shifts of bird communities and conserving lowland forests
3. Life history of alpine bird species, such as Fire-tailed Myzornis and Fire-tailed Sunbird
Relevant publications
1. Liang, D., Pan, X.(#), Luo, X., Hu, Y., Robinson, S., Liu, Y. Seasonal variation in community composition and distributional ranges of birds along a subtropical elevation gradient in China. Diversity and Distributions. (In press)
2. Liang, D., Gao, G., Pagani-Núñez, E., Pang, H., Liu, Y. (#), Luo, X. (#), & Robinson, S. K. (2018). Incubation behaviour of a high-altitude species: The Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda. Bird Study, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2018.1446905
3. Liang, D., Gao, G., Han, L. X., & Luo, X. 2017. Breeding biology of Fire-tailed Myzornis (Myzornis pyrrhoura) in an alpine environment in Southwestern China. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 129(3), 568-575.
4. Liang, D., Gao, G., Liu, Y., Luo, Xu (#). 2020. Breeding biology of a high altitudinal Aethopyga sunbird in southwestern China. Journal of Natural History, 54(37 - 38), pp.2381-2390.
5. Liang, D., Gao, G., Wang, B., Wang, X., Chen, Y., Wu, X., Zhao, C., Jiang, D., Han, L., & Luo, X. 2016. The diversity and vertical distribution of the birds in Middle Gaoligong Mountain, Southwest China. Sichuan Journal of Zoology, 34(6): 930-940.
6. Liang, D., Li, D., Li, Q., Ma, G., & Luo, X. (2012). Differentiation of diet niche of Sclater’s Monal and Blood Pheasant detected with fecal analysis in Mt. Gaoligong in Yunnan Province. 200-209. In eds. Advances in biodiversity conservation and research in China IX. China Meteorological Press.
7. Wang, X., Liang, D., He, Y., & Luo, X. 2016. Breeding ecology of Alcippe vinipectus at Pianma Pass on Gaoligong Mountain, Southwest China. Journal of Southwest Forestry University, 36(3): 181-186.
8. Pan, X., Liang, D., Zeng, W., Hu, Y., Liang, J., Wang, X., Robinson, S.K., Luo, X., Liu, Y., 2019. Climate, human disturbance and geometric constraints drive the elevational richness pattern of birds in a biodiversity hotspot in southwest China. Global Ecology and Conservation 18, e00630.
9. Feng, Y., Li, Q., Liang, D., Jiang, D., Wu, X., Gao, Ge, Wang, X., Fan, Li., Luo, X. 2019. Annual change of avian species richness in winter at Zixi Mountain, Yunnan. Journal of Southwest Forestry University, 39(4): 110-115.
1. Liang, D., Pan, X.(#), Luo, X., Hu, Y., Robinson, S., Liu, Y. Seasonal variation in community composition and distributional ranges of birds along a subtropical elevation gradient in China. Diversity and Distributions. (In press)
2. Liang, D., Gao, G., Pagani-Núñez, E., Pang, H., Liu, Y. (#), Luo, X. (#), & Robinson, S. K. (2018). Incubation behaviour of a high-altitude species: The Fire-tailed Sunbird Aethopyga ignicauda. Bird Study, 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1080/00063657.2018.1446905
3. Liang, D., Gao, G., Han, L. X., & Luo, X. 2017. Breeding biology of Fire-tailed Myzornis (Myzornis pyrrhoura) in an alpine environment in Southwestern China. The Wilson Journal of Ornithology, 129(3), 568-575.
4. Liang, D., Gao, G., Liu, Y., Luo, Xu (#). 2020. Breeding biology of a high altitudinal Aethopyga sunbird in southwestern China. Journal of Natural History, 54(37 - 38), pp.2381-2390.
5. Liang, D., Gao, G., Wang, B., Wang, X., Chen, Y., Wu, X., Zhao, C., Jiang, D., Han, L., & Luo, X. 2016. The diversity and vertical distribution of the birds in Middle Gaoligong Mountain, Southwest China. Sichuan Journal of Zoology, 34(6): 930-940.
6. Liang, D., Li, D., Li, Q., Ma, G., & Luo, X. (2012). Differentiation of diet niche of Sclater’s Monal and Blood Pheasant detected with fecal analysis in Mt. Gaoligong in Yunnan Province. 200-209. In eds. Advances in biodiversity conservation and research in China IX. China Meteorological Press.
7. Wang, X., Liang, D., He, Y., & Luo, X. 2016. Breeding ecology of Alcippe vinipectus at Pianma Pass on Gaoligong Mountain, Southwest China. Journal of Southwest Forestry University, 36(3): 181-186.
8. Pan, X., Liang, D., Zeng, W., Hu, Y., Liang, J., Wang, X., Robinson, S.K., Luo, X., Liu, Y., 2019. Climate, human disturbance and geometric constraints drive the elevational richness pattern of birds in a biodiversity hotspot in southwest China. Global Ecology and Conservation 18, e00630.
9. Feng, Y., Li, Q., Liang, D., Jiang, D., Wu, X., Gao, Ge, Wang, X., Fan, Li., Luo, X. 2019. Annual change of avian species richness in winter at Zixi Mountain, Yunnan. Journal of Southwest Forestry University, 39(4): 110-115.